CEDC’s 2026 BLOC Awards
CEDC Annual Meeting and 2026 BLOC Awards Celebrate North Country Business Excellence
WHITEFIELD, NH - The Coös Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) hosted its annual meeting and presentation of the 2026 BLOC (Business Leaders of Coös) Awards at the Mountain View Grand Resort & Spa. The event brought together business leaders, community partners, and regional stakeholders for an evening dedicated to celebrating the strength, success, and resilience of Coös County’s business community.
The BLOC Awards serve to recognize outstanding businesses and individuals contributing to the vitality of the North Country. The awards highlighted excellence across a wide range of categories, including agriculture, legacy businesses, emerging startups, young entrepreneurs, and businesses owned by veterans, first responders, and healthcare professionals. Designed to honor innovation and long-term impact, the awards spotlighted the individuals and organizations helping to shape the future of our region.
The selection process was deeply rooted in the community, with community members, business owners, and local organizations submitting nominations and casting votes for outstanding businesses located within Coös County.
Also, a huge thank you to our guest speaker, NH Department of Business and Economic Affairs Commissioner Lucy Lange, and a massive congratulations to our phenomenal 2026 BLOC Award winners:
Hero Owned Excellence Award: LA Construction – Levi Arsenault This award recognizes a business owned by a Veteran, First Responder or Healthcare worker who continues to serve Coös County through entrepreneurship. These individuals apply the discipline, leadership, and resilience learned in their service to build businesses that give back - creating jobs, supporting local schools, and proving that those who protected our communities are now the ones helping them prosper.
Rising Young Entrepreneur Award: Ashley Baril – Earth2Sunshine This award spotlights business owners under 40 who have made the bold choice to be "Rural By Choice." By bringing fresh energy and "scratch-made" passion to Main Street, these leaders demonstrate that young professionals can build successful careers and high-impact businesses right here at home, fostering a sense of belonging and modern Community Impact.
Outstanding Start-up Award: Cup and Cone Awarded to a business in its first few years of operation that has turned a "flower dream" or a fresh concept into a thriving reality. This recipient exemplifies Innovation & Creativity, quickly carving out a niche in the local market and demonstrating a high potential for long-term growth and Collaboration with fellow business owners.
Best Agricultural Business Award: Fuller’s Sugarhouse This award recognizes a farm or agribusiness that has shown exceptional Resilience & Growth in the face of changing markets or climate. Whether through "atypical crop propagation," sustainable practices, or providing essential community services like education and live removals, this recipient proves that traditional industries can remain innovative and vital to the North Country's future.
Legacy Award: Santa’s Village This category honors a long-standing business that has served as a cornerstone of our community for decades. This award celebrates the Community Impact of a business that has not only survived the test of time but has continued to adapt, providing stable Job Creation and acting as a mentor and collaborator for the next generation of Coös County entrepreneurs.
An evening of this scale would not have been possible without our dedicated community partners. CEDC extends its sincere gratitude to our event sponsors for supporting Coös County’s business ecosystem: Fidium Fiber, Passumpsic Bank, Service Credit Union, Cohos Advisors, and The Granite Grind. Thank you for your continued commitment to our community's growth and shared prosperity.
Check out the Berlin Daily Sun article that highlighted the celebration of our 2026 BLOC Awards: HERE
